Bellevue forward Klimes commits to Army

Bellevue high school #2 Gunther Klimes advances the ball up court as Mercer Island high school’s #3 Daniel Sims, left, tries to intercept, during their game in Bellevue, on Friday, Jan. 10, 2014. Bellevue won, 60-44. (Photograph by MARCUS YAM/The Seattle Times)

Bellevue senior Gunther Klimes, a 6-6 forward, on Wednesday verbally committed to play college basketball for Army. His father, Dennis Klimes, confirmed the news early Thursday.

Gunther Klimes helped the Wolverines finish third in Class 3A last season, contributing 12 points and eight rebounds in the runner-up game.

He averaged 12 points per game last year, including two 23-point outings. Klimes plays AAU ball for the U-17 Emerald City Pioneers and recently played at the Big Foot Tournament in Las Vegas.

“He’s been looking at West Point since he was 14 or 15 and it was his No. 1 school he wanted to get into even before basketball was an option. It was one of those things where he was scouted by his No. 1 school and was offered by his No. 1 school,” Dennis Klimes said.

Gunther holds a 3.6 GPA and intends to focus on engineering in college. Army plays in the Patriot League and finished 15-16 last year.